Daniels: 'Can't say how much I'll miss' Walorski

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Upon hearing of the death of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-South Bend), Purdue University President Mitch Daniels expressed his sadness for a former Indiana statehouse colleague.

“There could not be worse news. I’m heartsick at this tragedy," Daniels said Wednesday, the day Walorski and two staffers were killed in a car accident in her northern Indiana congressional district.

"Jackie Walorski was a great public servant, a brave and constant ally for change during all my years in elected office, and a great representative of her district at both the state and national levels. I can’t say how much I’ll miss her.”

Prior to her 2012 election to the U.S. Congress, Walorski served three terms in the Indiana Statehouse (2004-2010), coinciding with Daniels' time serving as Indiana governor.

According to the South Bend Tribune, her hometown newspaper, Walorski was killed along with three other people, including two staffers, Zach Potts, 27, and Emma Thomson, 28, traveling in the car with the congresswoman.

Waloski was in a vehicle driving south on Indiana 19 south of Wakarusa around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to police. A car going north collided with the Walorski car. The driver of the other was also killed.

Walorski, 58, has served Indiana's 2nd district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski: Mitch Daniels 'heartsick' over death